Liidlii Kue/Fort Simpson - They haven't advanced to shooting apples off of heads yet, but more than 20 people took the opportunity to develop their archery skills on the weekend in Fort Simpson.

An archery clinic was offered in the village from Nov. 10 to 11 as part of a partnership between the Aboriginal Sports Circle of the Western Arctic and the Mackenzie Recreation Association. Larry Kelly, an archery coach from Edmonton with more than 20 years of experience, ran the clinic.

Gordon Thompson, left, prepares to release an arrow while Winston Norwegian checks the accuracy of his shot during the archery clinic. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photos

The clinic covered everything from the basics of a bow and safety to proper techniques for shooting with a traditional style or with sights.

"I think it's been amazing," said Deborah Stipdonk about the event.

While only 18 people originally signed up, a total of 26 people, ranging from youth to adults, participated in the event. Experience levels ranged from none to moderate, said Stipdonk, who helped organize the event.

"The kids stayed keen and the adults stayed keen all the way through," she said.

The clinic fit into the goals of the Mackenzie Recreation Association (MRA). The MRA would like to see an expansion of recreational activities and archery is particularly relevant to aboriginal culture, said Stipdonk.

"I think archery is a natural fit for the North," she said.

Archery's advantages include the fact it can be done year-round, isn't very expensive and is easily transportable, Stipdonk said.

As a result of the clinic, Stipdonk hopes an archery club will be created in Fort Simpson and that other communities will also pick up the sport.

In addition to wanting to promote a sport with such strong traditional and cultural aspects, the Aboriginal Sports Circle of the Western Arctic (ASCWA) is interested in archery because of the upcoming North American Indigenous Games (NAIG) in Cowicham Valley, B.C., said Greg Hopf, the program manager for ASCWA.

The Northwest Territories has competed in five of the seven NAIG but has never sent an archery team. To help rectify this, the ASCWA plans to offer archery clinics across the territory to identify archers and coaches to participate in the 2008 games next August, said Hopf. An earlier clinic was held in Fort Providence in June.

"We're excited about sending archers to the NAIG games this year," he said.

So far youth have had a positive response to the opportunity to try archery.

"It's an addicting sport," Hopf said.

"I'm surprised how many kids pick it up and like it."

The response in Fort Simpson was also positive.

Gerald Norwegian, 14, said he enjoyed the chance to try archery and would like to continue with the sport. Norwegian was among a group of three youth and one adult flown in from Jean Marie River for the event.

"I really liked it," said Wanda Norwegian.

Although she was afraid to shoot the bow at first because she thought she might miss the target, Norwegian said she found the clinic interesting.

It doesn't take much for a community to start an archery club, said coach Larry Kelly.

All you need is an archery net, a few bows and arrows and targets that can be made out of whatever is readily available.

"Archery is one of the most cost efficient sports," Kelly said.

People of all ages can participate in the sport whether just for fun or as a competitive sport all the way to the Olympic level, he said.

"It's got something for everyone," Kelly said.